Culture Shock

By Amy Dalness

Screenshot from [PAM]

[PAM] in the House

The Perpetual Art Machine (also known as [PAM]) started as an open source Web 2.0 research and archive project. The creators—artists Aaron Miller, Chris Borkowski, Lee Wells and Raphaele Shirley—programmed [PAM] for Scope New York in 2006. Just a few years later, [PAM] has traveled around the continental U.S. and throughout Europe, featuring the video art of more than 300 creative minds from more than 50 countries.

[PAM] is not just a traveling video installation; it's also an online gallery, database and community. But those aren't even its coolest features. [PAM] is completely interactive, allowing the viewer to become the curator and giving each person a totally unique viewing experience. Using a touch screen with a friendly human voice, the viewer chooses the word or concept, and the program projects videos fitting the category. Or the viewer can take a passive role and let [PAM] pick the vids.

[PAM] will be on display (or in action?) at the MOV-IN Gallery at the College of Santa Fe (1600 St. Michael’s Drive, 505-473-6404) from March 7 through April 11, with a reception on Friday, March 7, from 4 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. For more info, visit www.mov-in.org.

Meet the Authors

To celebrate the grand opening of its new library, the Holy Ghost Catholic School (6201 Ross SE) is hosting a Meet the Author Book Fair on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event gives local bibliophiles an opportunity to meet more than 20 local authors, including Don Bullis (Bullseye), Phil Jackson (A Spy Wears Two Hats), Chris Eboch (The Well of Sacrifice) and Bernadette Vadurro (America’s Conscience). There's no better way to support the New Mexico book industry than going straight to the source.